Improvement in revolving signs



2Sheets-Sheet1. J; O. BELKNAP.

REVOLVING SIGNS.

Patented Aug.15, 1876.

Winessem; v

MPH-EH3 PHOTD-IJTHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

2 SheetsSheet 2.

J'. 0. BELKNAP.

REVOLVING SIGNS.

No.181, OZ9. Patented Aug.15, 1876.

mlnesses: Znuen 601-:

N. PETERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER. WASHINGYON D C within the space.

UNI E STATES PATENT Qrrioa.

JACKSON 0. BELKNAP, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

IMPROVEMENT IN REVOLVING SIGNS.

Specification Iorming part. of Letters Patent No. 18 1,029, dated August 15, 1876; application filed J une 24, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JACKSON OGDEN BEL- KNAP, of Mobile, county of Mobile, and State of Alabama, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Revolving Signs, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had tov the ac companying drawings.

The object ofmy invention is to produce an attractive device for arresting the attention or notice of persons through the medium of sound as well as sight, to be used generally in the line of signs and advertising by day and night.

' shows the same thing, except in one part, and

not hinged.

A is a basin, with a pipe introduced through the center of the bottom, having a suitable connection on the lower end, to allow its connection to another pipe. The upperend of this pipe projects just above the edge of said basin inside. B is a ring-shaped float, airtight or not, with one or more flat strips of metal crossing it in the center on the bottom, having an opening through them where they cross, to admit the pipe in the basin, and allow the float to revolve freely thereon, the ring-float being a little less diameter than the basin. 0 is another floatof a different shape,

the diameter of which is something less than the inner part of the ring-float, and which has an opening in the center of the bottom, surrounded by atube inside and projecting nearly to the upper edge of the said float. Outside the bottom of this float there is a circular flange surrounding the-opening in the bottom, said opening being of the proper size to allow this float to he slipped upon the pipe in the basin in the same manner as the ring-float, and, being a little less diameter than the inner walls of the ring-float, will revolve freely It will be seen that when the two floats are in position they both float upon the same waterthe ring-float the deepfreedom. If desirable, the ring-float, or one of any shape in a basin of liquid, may sustain upon its top other basins having other floats in them, all of which may be revolved. simultaneously in the same way. D represents any number of gasburners or lamps arranged upon the inner float. E is a series of liquid or other kinds of lenses, colored or plain, or prismatic glass drops, in any form or globes, through which the lights upon the inner float are seen. Lights may also be put upon the ring-float, if desirable, and all the glass lenses, globes, and other things be protected from the heat of the burners by a lining of plain glass or mica. F is any number of half-cone-shaped sails, of metal or other suitable material,which have a rod passing through them, or otherwise connected, soldered, or secured in any way, bent in any form, and inserted into sockets or tubes on the floats, or attached by any suitable means. These half cones may be constructed in two pieces, hinged together, so as to open and close according to the force of the wind. G is a series of double triangular .wind-sails upon the inner float C, so placed as to reverse its motion to that of the ring-float B, and which may be used as appears, or made in two pieces and put together by a hinge, for the purpose of relieving itself, by its own action, of too much pressure from a gusty or very heavy wind. The lifting part, hinged, may be loaded with a weight, so as to regulate its action to stand a certain pressure, and then rise, allowing the wind to escape. H is a wire cloth or net covering or protector of any shape, resting upon the ring-float, or, if required, one on each float; or it may be secured stationary onto the bottom of the basin in any proper manner. The wire covering is also designed to answer the purpose of a sign by painting and lettering its surface, attachin g metal letters and any kinds of decorations, all of which adds to its beauty and usefulness. The wire cover may be entirely closed on the top, or open, with cross-pieces through the center, with an opening in them at the crossing. I is a shaft, connected to a ring of half cones or double triangular sails, as hereinbefore described, constructed with the parts hinged or not. The shaft is vertical, with lower end resting in a socket of metal or glass base upon the center float, the upper end projecting through an opening in the crosspieces at the top of the wire cover, above which the connection is made with the ring ofsails or half cones; it may also be connected, by a screw or otherwise, to the float O, and be the additional driving-power of said float. This shaft is provided with projecting wire rods, horizontally arranged under the crosspieces, or under the top of the wire cover. J is one or more bells, suspended from or firmly fixed to the cross-pieces of the wire cover, and arranged to be rung by the revolving shaft and projecting rods by the power and force of the wind. (Gongs or bells of large size can be used in this invention, and attached to it anywhere by any means; or a hell or gong may be placed at a distance from it and still rung by its action, having a suitable connection for the purpose.) The basin A being charged with liquid, the floats rise, and the wind striking the cones and sails, each float revolves in opposite directions simultaneously, the shaft also revolving, and more rapidly than the float upon which it rests. At the same time the projecting wire-rods strike the clap- ,pers of the bells, which are thus kept ringing.

The bells may be secured to the projecting rods, connected with the shaft and rung by vibration, or attached to the basin outside, or upon the floats inside. The revolving shaft, with ring of half cones or triangular sails,

may be used separate from the floats by placing it in a frame-work or' upon a gas-fixture. Gongs or bells-may be placed at a distance from it and still rung by its action, having a suitable connection for the purpose. Whole cones may be hinged together in parts, as described in the half conesherein shown; also,

the double triangular sails of any sort may be 3. The combination of two or more floats in a basin of liquid, arranged to revolve in opposite directions at one and the same time by j the force and power of the wind, substantially as shown and described. 7

4. The combination ofthe basin A, floats B and G, burners or lamps D, lenses, globes, or prisms E, wind-sails F and G, wire covering H, shaft and windvsa'ils I, and bell or bells J constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for purposes set forth.

- I J. O. BELKNAP. Witnesses:

MORTON ToULMIN,

FRANCO J. UORTISSEZ. 

